Bridging the Hospitality-Drinks Industry Divide

There's a fundamental disconnect at the heart of our industry that most people accept as inevitable. In my conversation with Danil Nevsky, we explored the complex relationship between the hospitality world and the drinks industry - and why understanding this divide is crucial for anyone trying to build bridges between them.

The Two Rivers Theory

We discussed Danil's powerful metaphor for these industries: "two parallel rivers that occasionally cross over but they very much flow independently." This isn't just a philosophical observation - it has real implications for how brands and bars work together.

As we explored, brand ambassadors often become the translators between these worlds. Danil's brutal assessment? They're "the bar backs of the spirits world" - essential for keeping everything running, but often overlooked and undervalued. Most BAs come from the bar industry wanting to escape night shifts and operations, only to find themselves navigating corporate bureaucracy they never signed up for.

Let's dive in: